Container lifting device

ABSTRACT

A DEVICE FOR LIFTING A CONTAINER SUCH AS A BEER BARREL OR THE LIKE HAVING AN OPENING IN ONE WALL THEREOF SURROUNDED BY A SLEEVE HAVING A PERIPHERAL FLANGE PROVIDED WITH CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED, RADIALLY EXTENDING SLOTS, THE LIFTING DEVICE HAVING AT ONE END THEREOF A NUMBER OF PROJECTIONS CAPABLE OF PASSING THROUGH THE FLANGE SLOTS FOR ROTATION INTO UNDERLYING RELATION WITH THE FLANGE SO AS TO ENABLE THE CONTAINER TO BE LIFTED BY THE LIFTING DEVICE. THE LIFTING DEVICE PREFERABLY INCLUDES A RESILIENT CUSHIONING MEMBER THAT IS ADAPTED TO BEAR AGAINST THE CONTAINER WALL SO AS FRICTIONALLY TO RETAIN THE LIFTING DEVICE IN ITS OPERATIVE POSITION RELATIVE TO THE FLANGE.

CONTAINER LIFTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 10, 1969 FIG.I

llllllli Q FIG. 5

R mu E S S M mB N R E G O R United States Patent Int. Cl. A473 45/07 U.S. Cl. 294-27 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for lifting a container such as a beer barrel or the like having an opening in one wall thereof surrounded by a sleeve having a peripheral flange provided with circumferentially spaced, radially extending slots, the lifting device having at one end thereof a number of projections capable of passing through the flange slots for rotation into underlying relation with the flange so as to enable the container to be lifted by the lifting device. The lifting device preferably includes a resilient cushioning member that is adapted to bear against the container wall so as frictionally to retain the lifting device in its operative position relative to the flange.

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 653,110, filed July 13, 1967, now Pat. No. 3,429,606, granted Feb. 25, 1969 and is filed as a result of a restriction requirement in the parent application Ser. No. 653,110.

The invention disclosed herein relates to a device which is particularly adapted for use in lifting and carrying empty containers such as beer barrels and the like. A typical beer barrel has a bung opening in one wall of the barrel surrounded by a sleeve set into the wall and having a radially inwardly projecting flange between its ends provided with diametrically opposite, radial slots. A cork or other stopper seals the bung opening and is adapted to be displaced by a siphon or pump apparatus when the contents of the barrel are to be drained. When the barrel has been emptied, the siphon or pump apparatus is removed from the bung opening.

Although the materials from which beer barrels and similar containers currently are manufactured are relatively lightweight, thereby making it possible for one person to carry two barrels at one time with relative case, a barrel is a bulky and awkward object to carry in ones arms, so it is the practice for empty barrels to be carried by inserting ones finger in the bung opening of the barrel and carrying the latter by the one finger. Such practice is uncomfortable and may cause cutting or other serious injury of the persons finger. The practice does, however, enable one person to carry two barrels simultaneously.

An object of this invention is to provide a lifting device which will enable one person to carry an empty barrel or similar container without subjecting any part of the persons body to discomfort or likelihood of injury.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lifting device of the character described which is capable of being fitted quickly and securely to a barrel to be carried.

A further object of the invention is to provide a barrel lifting device which is light in weight, durable and easy to use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent from the following description when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a barrel lifting device constructed in accordance with the invention;

3,556,577 Patented Jan. 19, 1971 FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, end elevational view of one end of the lifting device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of one end of the device;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the device shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in section of a typical barrel and illustrating the manner in which the lifting device may be used; and

IFIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

A lifting device constructed in accordance with the dis closed embodiment of the invention comprises a body member v1 formed of rigid, lightweight metal such as aluminum or magnesium and having two generally cylindrical limbs 2 and 3 substantially normal to each other. The limb 2 merges into a solid head 4 from which projects a reduced diameter extension 5 that terminates in a slightly enlarged foot 6 having a flat face 7. At the junction of the head and the extension is a shoulder 8. The cross-sectional area of the extension, therefor, is less between its ends than it is at either end.

A pair of diametrically opposite, radially outwardly extending, circumferentially spaced lugs or flanges 9 are secured to the head 4 at a zone axially spaced from the shoulder 8. The lugs 9 taper circumferentially so as to be generally wedge-shaped as shown in FIG. 3, and each lug tapers in the same direction, i.e., clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3. The purpose of the lugs 9 will be explained hereinafter.

The limb 3 may have a free end, as shown, or it may be provided with a head such as is illustrated in the aforementioned application. In either event the limb 3 constitutes a handle.

Carried by the head 4 and fitted on the extension 5 between the foot 6 and the shoulder 8 is a resilient, annular, rubber or rubber-like cushioning member 10 which extends in prolongation of the head and has an outside diameter corresponding substantially to that of the head 4. The inside diameter of the cushion 10 corresponds substantially to the diameter of the extension 5 but is less than that of the foot 6 so as to prevent inadvertent separation of the cushion 110 from the lifter 1.

The apparatus is adapted for use in conjunction with a beer barrel or other container 11 having an end wall 12 provided with a dropped center portion 113 to which is secured an upstanding, bored sleeve 14 terminating at its outer end in a peripheral flange 15, the bore constituting the bung opening of the barrel. As is best shown in FIG. 6, the flange 15 is interrupted at diametrically opposed zones to provide two gaps or spaces 16 of such size as to pass the lugs 9. The lugs 9 are of such radial length that, when they are passed through the gaps 1-6 and the head 4 is rotated through the lugs 9 underlie the flange 15 as is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The combined axial thickness of the resilient cushion 13 and the lugs 9 preferably is greater than the distance from the surface of the wall 13 to the underside of the flange 15. The purpose of this construction is to require axial compression of the cushion 10 to enable the lugs 9 to be located beneath the flange 15. The compression of the cushion 10 enables it frictionally to prevent inadvertent rotation of the head 4 relative to the sleeve 14. The wedge shape of the lugs 9 assures axial compression of the cushion 10 and consequent frictional coupling of the device to the barrel.

When the head 4 is accommodated within the sleeve 14 with the lugs 9 underlying the flange 15, the barrel may be lifted and carried easily by means of the limb or handle 3. To remove the head from the sleeve it is necessary only to rotate the head to such position that the lugs are aligned with the gaps 16 and withdraw the head from the sleeve.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form of the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A device for lifting a container having in one wall thereof an opening surrounded by a peripheral flange spaced from said wall and provided with at least one gap therein, said device comprising a body member terminating in a solid head at one end thereof; at least one radially extending lug carried by said head and spaced from said one end of said body, said lug being of such size as to pass through said gap and be rotated relatively to said flange so as to underlie the latter; an extension carried by said body at said one end thereof and extending in prolongation of said head, said extension having a crosssectional area less than that of said head and terminating remote from said head in an enlarged foot; and a resilient cushion carried by said extension between said head and said .foot for engagement with said wall, said cushion together with said extension having a cross-sectional area corresponding substantially to that of said head, the combined axial length of said cushion and said lug being greater than the spacing between said wall and said flange.

2. The device set forth in claim 1 wherein said flange has a plurality of said gaps spaced from one another and wherein there is a plurality of said lugs on said head corresponding in number and spacing to the number and spacing of said gaps.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,194,793 8/1916 Styers 287103 FOREIGN PATENTS 170,804 11/1921 Great Britain 2942 EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner A. N. GOODMAN, Assistant Examiner 

